Cat People
David Bowie Lyrics


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See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Colder than the moon
It's been so long

Feel my blood enraged
It's just the fear of losing you
Don't you know my name?
You've been so long

And I've been putting out the fire with gasoline

See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their minds

It's been so long

Still this pulsing night
A plague I call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
You wouldn't believe what I've been through

You've been so long
Well it's been so long

And I've been putting out the fire with gasoline
Putting out the fire
With gasoline

See these tears so blue
An ageless heart that can never mend
These tears can never dry
A judgment made can never bend

See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Just be still with me
You wouldn't believe what I've been through

You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And I've been putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire with gasoline

(Been so long)
(Been so long)
Well it's been so long (been so long)
I've been putting out fire (been so long)
It's been so long (been so long)
Been putting out fire (been so long)
It's been so long (been so long)
Been putting out fire (been so long)

Been so long (so long, so long)
Been so long (so long, so long)

Been putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
Been putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
Been so long

(Been so long, so long, so long)
(Been so long, so long, so long)
Putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
Been putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
Been so long




Been so long (so long, so long)
Been so long (so long, so long)

Overall Meaning

The song "Cat People" by David Bowie was written as a soundtrack for the 1982 film "Cat People." The lyrics describe the emotional turmoil of a man who is desperately trying to hold on to his relationship despite the fear of losing his partner. Bowie uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the intensity of his protagonist's feelings.


The opening lines of the song set the tone for the entire piece as Bowie sings about his piercing green eyes that can stare for a thousand years. This symbolizes the singer's unwavering determination to hold on to his lover, even if it takes eternity. The next few lines describe the coldness of his heart, which is colder than the moon, showing how he has become emotionally detached due to the fear of losing his lover. He then expresses his intense anger, which is fueled by the fear of losing his lover, which has been building inside him.


The chorus section of the song repeats the phrase "putting out the fire with gasoline," which represents the singer's tendency to make things worse by seeking destructive solutions to his problems. The second verse describes the singer's inner turmoil and how his intense emotions lead to others fearing him. The song ends with Bowie urging his lover to be still with him, promising that her understanding of his situation will make her realize how much he has been through.


Line by Line Meaning

See these eyes so green
I have a piercing gaze that can last for eternity


I can stare for a thousand years
I have a deep-seated confidence in myself


Colder than the moon
My emotions are as frigid as the lifeless, barren rock in the sky


It's been so long
The time seems to stretch on indefinitely


Feel my blood enraged
I am consumed by feelings of passionate anger


It's just the fear of losing you
My intense emotions are fueled by a deep-seated fear of losing you


Don't you know my name?
I need to make sure that you truly understand who I am


And I've been putting out the fire with gasoline
My attempts to extinguish the flames are only making the situation worse


See these eyes so red
My eyes are bloodshot from crying


Red like jungle burning bright
My intense emotions are comparable to a blazing inferno


Those who feel me near
Those who are in my presence can sense my powerful emotions


Pull the blinds and change their minds
People are scared of me and tend to avoid me


Still this pulsing night
My heart is still racing, even though it's been so long


A plague I call a heartbeat
My heart feels like a sickness that I can't escape from


Just be still with me
All I need is your comforting presence


You wouldn't believe what I've been through
I have suffered immensely and it's hard for others to comprehend


See these tears so blue
I am shedding tears that persistently fall like the ceaseless flow of time


An ageless heart that can never mend
My heart is forever broken and can never be repaired


These tears can never dry
My tears will always continue to flow


A judgment made can never bend
There are certain things in life that can never be undone or forgiven


(Been so long)
The passage of time has been a constant theme throughout this song


(so long, so long)
I have been waiting for so long


Been putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
I have been trying to put out the flames of my passionate emotions for what feels like an eternity


Putting out fire (been so long, so long, so long)
Despite my efforts, my emotions continue to burn bright like a raging inferno




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Giorgio Moroder, David Bowie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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